Tottenham Hotspur Exposed As Arrogant and Disgraceful Hypocrites

August 2, 2008

As a United fan, you get used to more than our fair share of criticism. Our team is in the spotlight of the media, of rival fans, and of the FA. If United do something, good or bad, then the papers are full of it. If United do something, brilliant or awful, rival fans have plenty to say about it. If United are guilty of something, then the FA make an example out of us.

Since creating this blog, I’ve had to become more accostomed to that criticism. Whilst most of what you see in the comments is rather amusing, bitter rivals losing their minds over something pretty petty, I delete comments referring to us as “Munichs”, Ferguson being a c**t, our fans being arrogant scum bags etc. on almost a daily basis.

Whilst adapting to hearing the thing you love most in the World, Manchester United and those associated with it, being slagged off on a constant basis, there are always going to be moments when you get pushed over the edge, when you know you’re going to have to get in to an argument and react.

Daniel Levy was the last person to get a rise out of me in this way, having a right good pop at Sir Alex Ferguson in relation to the transfer prospects of Dimitar Berbatov. That is why I’m very happy to see that someone has successful managed to bring him down a peg or two this weekend!

“Today’s public comments by Manchester United’s manager, announcing that he has made an offer for Dimitar and is confident that the deal will go through with time working in their favour, is a blatant example of sheer arrogance and interference with one of our players,” said Tottenham Hotspur chairman, Daniel Levy, in a statement on the club’s official website. Ferguson denied making these comments immediately, laughing them off in fact, and the source of the comments admitted they had been a little too ‘free’ in their translation.

“It is also probably one of the worst offences by any manager in the Premier League to date and is unbelievably hypocritical given his recent comments in respect of Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid,” Levy continued. “As a result, we have today made an official complaint to the PL about the conduct of Manchester United.”

At the time, I highlighted how utterly ridiculous it was to compare the blatant bombardment in the press over Ronaldo to anything Ferguson had said in relation to Berbatov.

Spurs had also thrown their dummy out where the dippers’ pursuit of Robbie Keane is concerned, reporting Liverpool to the Premier League as well.

“The behaviour of both clubs has been disgraceful,” Levy continued. “We told both clubs very early on that we had no interest in selling Robbie or Dimitar, respectively, and that they should refrain from pursuing the player. Both clubs arrogantly chose to ignore this request and we now have evidence that both clubs have systematically been working to prise the players away from us, outside of PL rules of conduct.”

Now, since these initial comments, it has been reported that Spurs have a whole dossier compiled on events showing United to have tapped up Berbatov. It’s important to note that when he revealed he had reported us to the Premier League, it was based solely upon those comments printed in The Sun though. I’m not too afraid what this dossier has to reveal though, if it’s anything like the the ones we’ve seen before. We can only speculate over what has gone on behind the scenes in this deal, and we can only hope that Fergie won’t get his fingers burnt here. If he has done something wrong, the FA will be all too happy to deal out a punishment, like usual.

So, for now then, let’s look at things we DO know to be true. Whilst Daniel Levy and Spurs fans enjoyed getting and high and mighty, it’s good to see someone bring them down a peg or two.

“It is hypocrisy personified that Spurs are complaining about things they themselves have done,” said Seville president, José MarÍa del Nido. “They took away our coach. Tottenham’s style is demonstrated by the way they contacted Juande Ramos.”

Excellent news, I’m glad that someone has finally brought everyone’s attention to this. As Levy reassured Martin Jol publicly that his job was safe, behind his back, he was having quiet words with current manager, Juande Ramos.

Ramos revealed to the press that he had received an offer from Spurs two whole months before Jol was sacked.

“They made an excellent, dizzying offer, but I’m under contract to Sevilla and my decision is to fulfil it,” Ramos said. “There was not the slightest possibility that I would accept it because I’m under contract. It did not interest me or the club. I haven’t spoken to the club (Sevilla) because there was no possibility of me accepting it.”

Strangely though, Spurs claimed this offer never occurred. So, what? Ramos just fabricated the meeting and the job offer? Which one of them is lying, Daniel Levy or Juande Ramos? The fact that within a couple of months Ramos was the manager of Spurs, I know who my money is on!

Regardless, a few days later, after a massive fuss had ensued, Ramos told the press that there actually had been no personal meeting with secretary John Alexander and the vice-chairman Paul Kemsley at the Alfonso XIII hotel. What really happened was Ramos met with a go-between, who made the offer, then returned to the Spurs representatives.

Well that’s that one cleared up then… well, until you consider a newspaper, Estadio Deportivo, printed photographs of the three men meeting at that very same hotel. D’oh.

“There’s no doubt that we want him to continue,” said Ramon Rodriguez, Seville’s sporting director back in August. Did that stop Spurs perusing the manager? Course not. Despite Seville stating that they had no interest in letting Ramos go, Spurs arrogantly and disgracefully chose to ignore this request.

Exposed as hypocrites? How? Because a chairman of a Spanish club is bitter that Ramos refused to sign a new contract with them long before we ever entered the fray? Or because Ramos was in the last year of his contract, not going to renew, and was free to talk to whoever he so wished? Jose Maria del Nido's original beef was with Ramos, which is why he is trying to sue Ramos instead of Spurs. He is widening the net in order to secure a larger amount of compensation. This does not compare at all to a club on its high horse that continues to pursue a player despite being told firmly "HE IS NOT FOR SALE", and when that doesn't work, going behind the club's back and meeting the player without the parent club's permission. Liverpool admitted they were in the wrong over Money Keane by contributing a large amount to our charity "as a gesture of goodwill".

I hope that the Premier League have the balls to stand up to your lot as we have done. But no breath being held in this case.

From your blog:
"It’s important to note that when he revealed he had reported us to the Premier League, it was based solely upon those comments printed in The Sun though."

From Levy's statement:
"This comes after a series of events, dating back to last summer, which have shown Manchester United to be in breach of Premier League (PL) rules. As a result, we have today made an official complaint to the PL about the conduct of Manchester United."

I thought this whole thing had been well debated already on this blog, when accusations by spurs against Fergie were talked about. The realists among the spurs supporters admitted on different football blogs, that yes they knew that Spurs had tapped up Ramos. The several spurs fans in DENIAL though, tried all sorts of excuses to swear blind spurs were innocent, even though the spanish club have evidence and photographs as you mentioned in this article. The realists among the spurs support, KNOW ALL TOO WELL, and agree that ALL clubs do their share of tapping up, and that behind locked doors it is commonplace. You do wonder though, why Levy would get his knickers all in a twist, about tapping, when it is a frequent activity of all clubs. Most clubs are more discreet about it, that's all. Real Madrid however are outlandishly OTT outrageous in the blatancy of their attempts to get whoever they want, in the most intensive media guerilla warfare, and bombardment of player and agent. Are Madrid though just being more openly honest about the aggressive attempts to get players they want, whilst others do exactly the same in secrecy?. You decide!.

Spain does not rules in regard to 'tapping up' or illegal approaches in the same way we do in the uk. It is quite a normal practice in spain and other european countries. We technically did nothing wrong with getting Ramos, Seville just didn't like it.

I'm not saying it was right what we did just that nothing illegal was done.

Everyone knows this tapping up thing happens everywhere.
The first point I would make from this article is that del Nido has made no complaint to FIFA or UEFA ( as far as I am aware ).
Secondly as far as Liverpool are concerned they admitted that they misbehaved and as such Spurs agreed to drop the case. Manchester United have not acknowledged any wrongdoing at all.
Ferguson would surely have had some credibility if he acknowledged that Levy had as much evidence ( bearing in mind the media reported a 'dossier' ) as he had against Madrid and just made a denial instead of accusing Spurs of being foolish etc.

Just what is the difference between Ronaldo and Berbatov situations? Or United taking action against Madrid and Spurs taking action against United?

This piece has been written through rose tinted specs as though "perish the thought that United would try to poach another player".

For your information many Spurs fans were embarrased with what happened regarding our 'poaching' of Ramos. At least we are prepared to criticise ourselves.
Really none of us know what goes on behind the scenes and probably never will.
Just accept that Man United and Ferguson are not perfect.

You forget or dont know that the same rules do not apply to managers as they do players. Being in his last year of a contract Ramos was entitled to talk to perspective suiters. Please before having a go at another club at least learn the laws and the facts involved. The Liverpool complaint was dropped when they publicly appologised for doing wrong then donated a sum of money to one of our charities. If you had the humility to do the same, then i'm sure the complaint would be dropped about you too.

Yes we know we tapped up Ramos and we're getting the compensation sorted out at the moment by a Spanish tribunal. Why do you think Man U shouldn't have been reported again? Fergie is the worst at this sort of thing, no not because he's a c**t but because he's manager of Man U and once a player gets his head turned by you lot its very hard to turn it back. If Fergie wants someone he'll make sure thier head gets turned through leaks to the press or otherwise. Fact.

There's a football foodchain and your near the top below Real Madrid, we're below you but being a premier league club puts us above most in Europe.

"You forget or dont know that the same rules do not apply to managers as they do players"

Actually the same rules do apply in regards to what's morally the right way of going about it. We've seen manaagers being tapped up (Ramos) and we've seen when managers are allowed to leave to further their careers (Sir Alex, Ince, etc).

"The Liverpool complaint was dropped when they publicly appologised for doing wrong then donated a sum of money to one of our charities"

As well as knowing that United most likely have more money than Liverpool. Spurs are on a clearing sale to reorganize their squad and needed a good injection of cash. Spurs are now on a "dig their heels in" attitude with regards to United about Berbatov. But what makes more sense to a club, selling a player who doesn't want to be there or selling a player who is your vice-captain? Which is worth more to you? Selling Keane wouldn't have been my first reaction to this whole episode.

The only arrogant and disgraceful hypocrite who has been exposed is Alex Ferguson. He cried like a bitch when Real Madrid merely spoke about C. Ronaldo in public, then he turns around and begins talks with Berbatov and his agent after refused to give them authorization to do so.

Del Nido is clearly still furious over the loss of Ramos to Spurs. He's even gone forward with a frivolous lawsuit against Ramos for breach of contract (and Ramos has countersued for money owed to him by Sevilla). Yet, Nel Nido was quoted as saying, ""It is not a case for Fifa, only for the normal courts. It has nothing to do with Tottenham - just Sevilla and Juande."

That says it all. Sevilla have not registered any complaint against Tottenham because Tottenham have broken no Spanish FA, Fifa or Uefa rules. Sevilla have not filed a lawsuit against Tottenham because Tottenham have broken no Spanish or EC laws. Surely, if Del Nido thought he had ANY chance of succeeding, he would have pursued some form of sanctions against Tottenham.

You can pay attention to this rumour and ignore that rumour, but the fact remains - Sevilla clearly were and still are furious at Spurs but yet they have pursued absolutely no action against Spurs. The only conclusion you can deduce from that is Spurs have violated no criminal or cvil Spanish or EC statute or any football rule.

The only arrogant and disgraceful hypocrite who has been exposed is Alex Ferguson. Of course open minded Man Utd fans like CraigMc will readily admit that Fergie is an arrogant and disgraceful hypocrite.

slaine's source of information seems almost as good as TheSun - there has never been any verified evidence that SAF spoke with Berbatov and his agent. That's not to say it didn't happen or that there wasn't a "third party" involved but it's also a long, long way from the "evidence" that Slaine seems to have imagined.

Of course, this kind of tapping-up is par-for-the-course in professional footie so that the Real question (pardon the awful pun !) is why Levy got in a snit in the media. THAT hasn't been explained.

I suppose that if UTD were to be really under=handed in their dealings they would do a nudge-nudge/wink-wink with Berbatov and his mister ten percent, telling them to hang tight and watch the Spurs squirm as the day approaches when Berbatov can buy himself out of his contract. But, UTD want Berbatov now - to add depth to the first-team squad and to provide insurance so that they can negotiate from a position of strength with Ronaldo.

And, of course, the same situation (the Bosman rule) is at play with UTD/Ronaldo/and the fascists which is why I think that the summer's kerfuffle has been all about negotiating a new contract WITH UTD - and that Madrid know that they will then be left on the outside looking like bloody fools.

To Slaine: because Spurs idiotic chairman reported another club over tapping up does and the Sevilla chairman choses not to report does not mean Spurs haven't done anything wrong. So by your post, in Spain it is legal to prise away someone that's under contract? So Del Nido said those things you wrote above then still came back to say what he said?

"Sevilla coach Juande Ramos has said he received a "dizzying" offer to take charge at Tottenham Hotspur but never considered accepting the approach from the English club.

"They made an excellent, dizzying offer, but I'm under contract to Sevilla and my decision is to fulfil it," Ramos told a news conference on Wednesday.

"There was not the slightest possibility that I would accept it because I'm under contract. It did not interest me or the club.

"I wasn't in a meeting with anyone, what happened was that I met with a person and that person went on to meet other people who were surely Tottenham," Ramos said.

Tottenham have denied offering Juande Ramos the job as boss at White Hart Lane - but his name is expected to remain linked with eventually taking over from Martin Jol.

Jol held talks with the Spurs board yesterday and was told to get the club challenging for Champions League qualification, earning him more time after his position as boss looked fragile.

Spurs officials met Ramos last week in Spain, which has been explained as a private matter, and it is understood that it was the Premier League club that cooled talks.

"No individual was or has been offered the position of manager/coach at this club while that position has been held by Martin Jol," read a statement from Spurs.

Ramos has a year left on his contract at Sevilla - whom he has guided to consecutive UEFA Cups - and has previously stated his ambition to work in England one day.

Ramos has been linked with a possible move to Tottenham Hotspur ever since media reports suggested that manager Martin Jol no longer enjoyed the confidence of club chairman Daniel Levy.

Speculation went into overdrive when the Seville sports paper Estadio Deportivo published photographs of an alleged meeting between Ramos and Tottenham club secretary John Alexander at a hotel in the Andalucian city.

Ramos has guided Sevilla to five trophies in the last two seasons, including back-to-back UEFA Cups and the King's Cup.

His side crushed Real Madrid 5-3 on Sunday to complete a 6-3 aggregate win in the Spanish Super Cup and play AC Milan in the European Super Cup next week.

They also have one foot in the Champions League group stage after a 2-0 win over AEK Athens in first leg of their third qualifying round tie."

If thats not tapping up, then i don't what is, sad that your chairman barks like a dog on heat to the press, but does the same thing. Open minded fans like Craig Mc as you put it haven't admitted Fergie is anything, which fan calls his manager arrogant and disgraceful?

As a Spurs fan I agree with del Nido's comments. It was the same when we took Hoddle from Southampton. Whether it broke any rules or not, both approaches were immoral and therefore there is a certain amount of hypocrisy in Levy's statements. However, it still remains true that Ferguson is also being hypocritical in his stance with Real Madrid. He has used the same tactics to get several players, including Carrick and now Berbatov, from us. Before that, Stam was ousted because he dared to document Ferguson's tapping up in his own move to ManU. Whatever anyone says about Levy, it doesn't alter the truth of his statements about Ferguson.

Denton Davey - ever asked yourself why Fergie threw his toys out of his pram just because Real Madrid had some nice things to say about C. Ronaldo? Why is this supposed "hard man" Fergie crying like a pregnant bitch?

Berbatov has 4 yrs left on his contract. I'm sure if he stayed with Spurs til the end, he would have given Spurs the best years of his career - 6 yrs of genius cost Spurs 11mil + wages. That's a bargain. No squirming, just a great bargain. This would be Levy's DREAM outcome to the situation.

I laughed at your deluded, irrational conclusion that C. Ronaldo just wants more money from Man Utd and doesn't want to fulfill his childhood dream to play For Real Madrid, a much bigger, more prestigious and far more successful club than Man Utd.

Del Nido has been furious with Spurs for 9 months. He's literally foaming at the mouth plotting ways to get his spiteful revenge. Yet no lawsuit. Not even a complaint. The only conclusion an intelligent adult can arrive at is that Del Nido has ZERO grounds for complaint.

Levy and Spurs clearly feel they have serious grounds for complaint and they have promptly submitted an official complaint with the F.A. allegedly with evidence of an illegal meeting between Man Utd officials and Berbatov and his agent. We shall have to wait and see the outcome of that.

Your use of selective misquotes and tabloid rumours only makes "your version" of what happened seem imaginative yet farcical.

Face it, Ramos was not tapped up. The jury is out on whether Berbatov was tapped out. We will find out if this is the case when the F.A. issue their verdict.

aw our dear slaine, facts elude him yet stories abound - and lets not forget some derogatory comments towards women. a well written united blog would then, understandably, be a highlight in your miserable spurs life since intelligence and relationships seem out of reach (much like any sort of title for your club).

as for levy - taking a stand til the checkbook opens - very inspirational.

Fact; Spurs did not breach any Premier League or La Liga rule re Ramos.
Fact; Liverpool have apologised for their tapping up.
Fact; Man U were reported for far more than the comments referred to above, they were simply the last straw.

Is it not strange that Sir Alex did not catagorically deny tapping up Berba when accused? Speaks volumes. And Levy is 100% right when he calls Sir Alex an arrogant hypocrite. On the one had he crys fowl over his player and has been doing the same to other clubs for years and years. Ronaldo would be a loss to the prem league and I do not wish to see him go, I hope you keep him. I will allow myself a wry smile if he does go though. I'm afraid old red nose deserves it.

The reason why Keane was sold to Liverpool was because they paid what we wanted for him (having tapped him up). It also demonstrates that if the market says keane goes for £20m, then Berba is worth a minimum £28m. But you are trying to get him on the cheap, and that won't happen. Pay £28/30m and he is yours. Stick with your current bid of £20m up to mid August and he will stay, regardless of what you then offer - we will need two weeks to find a replacement.

Regardless of what people say, berba would just get over it and get on with it. There are a minimum of 65,000 reasons per week why he would.

We certainly have not even the suggestion of any evidence that Real Madrid tapped up C. Ronaldo. Perhaps this explains why FIFA/UEFA threw out Man Utd's complaint quicker than it takes Alexander "hard man" Ferguson to cry like a pregnant bitch and drown himself in his wine collection whenever he doesn't get his way.

Slaine errr, read my post properly please before making ridiculous assumptions. Nowhere did I, or would I, ever say Fergie is arrogant or disgraceful. That is something 'tight arse' Levy said, not to Fergie's face, but through the national press - COWARD!. If contact was made, and that is still a contentious IF, by United to Berba and his agent, then it would have been Gill not Fergie. Gill takes care of our transfer business. I have been shown no evidence of Fergie guilt, so no need for any apologies. My arguement was, THAT ALL CLUBS are guilty of tapping. That it goes on and has done for years behind locked doors, and in great secrecy. Except by Real Madrid, who are blatently bloody obvious. So don't misquote me, Fergie is a great idol to all United fans.

JO, I haven't seen a LiverFOOL-ish PUBLIC acknowledgement of wrongdoing, or an apology given. This came from Spurs, once again releasing through the media what they think sounds good from their perspective. FFS, Scousers and Humility have never gone together. They must have been feckin desperate to get Keane, if they had to make a charitable donation to get him. Hahaha, we have our own charities, and support them well. If Spurs demanding such a donation wasn't humiliating, arrogant and disgraceful to L'Fool, then I don't know what was.

But dear slaine, then you must accept that Berbatov wants to play for a far more successful, bigger, more prestigious club than Tottenham and that club is Manchester United. Levy's dream will not come true I'm afraid, no matter how childish and arrogant you are.

Slaine - Ramos said he had received an offer from Spurs when he was still under contract with Sevilla. That IS tapping up, that is a fact, I do not see how even you can deny it, however ignorant you obviously are.

Billiospur, you sanctimonious prick, comparing Fergie to Benitez. Benitez has never denied opening his gob and making public statements about other clubs players and who they were. Gareth Barry has very much been a casualty of this. Benitez gives interviews with players names, Fergie didn't. Fergie said United HAD PUT IN AN OFFER for a player he thought would help improve our team. It's not Fergie's fault if media and websites speculate who the player is, and come up with 2 plus 2 equals Berba. He did not mention name, or club. So feck off with your comments Fergie should show humility and grovel etc. Prove undisputedly he did something wrong, you've shown nothing yet. Have United ever tapped up players, I believe so, but then as I have plainly said, SO HAVE ALL CLUBS. Since when did Tottenham become the Kindergarten for rapping the fingers of premiership managers, start with your own BIG KID Levy first.

topyido - An article on a United blog written through red tinted specs? Who would have thought?? If you don't want to read articles from a United perspective, then don't come to a United blog to read articles. Christ, it's not bloody rocket science is it, spuds.

It regards to whether Spurs' actions re Ramos were breaking Premier League, La Liga or UEFA rules is irrelevant. Spurs were told that Ramos wasn't for sale, just like United have been told that Berbatov wasn't for sale. So did Spurs stop trying for create a deal? Did Spurs respect the wishes of Sevilla? No, despite being told that Ramos was under contract and not available to leave, Spurs carried on pushing it, Ramos' 'head was turned' and he broke his current contract two months in to the season!

Spurs can keep Berbatov for all I'm concnerned, but Levy is cutting off his nose to spite his face. Berbatov doesn't want to play for Spurs anymore and has even be fined for his poor attitude during the summer because the club is denying him a move. So should we pay you off like Liverpool did with a 'donation'? Fuck that. Keep Berbatov, don't make any money on him, and hope you can break in to the top 10 with a striker who doesn't want to play for you lol.

Slaine, the reason the NO BALLS EUNUCHS FIFA didn't as you say throw out the complaint. They didn't have enough evidence they say to charge Real M, but they didn't say tapping up had not gone on. Tapping up is very hard to prove, as Spurs know, and may again soon find out. Yet Real M were warned, and a letter sent to the Spanish FA to speak to Real M. That was released by FIFA. But what do you expect anyway from FIFA, when their president Blatter is an honourary member of Real Madrid's board. Something of which he made a press statement to say he was very proud of.

Not wishing to come across as condescending but please can everyone face some simple to comprehend facts? Daniel Levy is an accomplished businessman with years of experience managing a multibillion pound property portfolio. The comments he made were not done so following one 'misrepresented" quote on a Scandinavian website. He will have compiled an extensive and precise catalogue of events that Manchester United or their representatives have perpetrated over many months concerning their overtures towards Berbatov and their blatant attempts to unsettle another clubs contracted player.
Fully aware that the Football Association would fail to act, no matter how much evidence was provided and again fully aware that the Football Association only represents a small minority of all powerful clubs in this country, he decided to make the comments he did. The result?
Liverpool make a twenty million pound bid for Robbie Keane, a player who scored fourteen league goals last season and gratefully accepted a donation to their charity of the year. A most unorthodox transfer! Funny that!
His strongly worded statement also served to lay down the gauntlet to United to put their money on the table for Berbatov. It’s all gone quiet over there! Berbatov played 90 minutes on Friday against Celtic, which tends to suggest he might just be a Spurs player next season. Let’s hope we can put his one to bed sooner rather than later and look forward to some great football next season.
Republic of Mancunia… reads, Manchester United Plc, the richest and most accomplished multinational corporation in world football. Hypocrisy eh!!!!

Pete - you want to look at simple facts then that is something I am more than happy to do.

1. "The comments he made were not done so following one ‘misrepresented” quote on a Scandinavian website." However, Levy claims that is EXACTLY the reason why he has spoken out. As a result of what Ferguson was quoted as saying in The Sun, Levy made a complaint to the Premier League.

“Today’s public comments by Manchester United’s manager, announcing that he has made an offer for Dimitar and is confident that the deal will go through with time working in their favour, is a blatant example of sheer arrogance and interference with one of our players. It is also probably one of the worst offences by any manager in the Premier League to date and is unbelievably hypocritical given his recent comments in respect of Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid. As a result, we have today made an official complaint to the PL about the conduct of Manchester United.”

2. Robbie Keane scored 23 goals last season for Spurs, 15 of those in the league (making him the 5th highest scorer in the Premiership). I'm not sure where you got 14 goals from. It was 22 goals the season, 11 of those in the league (making him the 11th highest scorer).

Pete, so Berbatov played 90 minutes against Celtic eh?. Couldn't that be because Fergie said he had turned away from the player after Levy's ludicrous price demands?. Just because Berba played (having no other choice really), does it mean that he enjoyed it, or was just going through the motions?. Martin Jol said that Berba did what he had to do for Spurs, but problem was, his heart was always with Man Utd. You know that's true. Anyway, Spurs are honour bound to keep up Berba's fitness levels whoever he finishes up playing for.